Village Chime Choir

Erna Clanton was born with gift of song and made a career out of her passion that continues today. At 89-years-old, music continues to be an instrumental part of Ernas life at Immanuel Village, an Immanuel Senior Living Community. That is where she lives and is also the director in the Village Choir and Chime Choir. I was introduced to chimes and handballs back in the 1960s and after hearing their beautiful sound, I was hooked. Through a gift and donations, I was lucky enough to purchase bells in five octaves and began a choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Omaha. Congregations really enjoyed the unique sound that the chimes and bells create and I love to teach people how to play the bells.

Erna began her own musical journey in Omaha where she studied music before moving to Chicago and then back to Omaha. Erna taught voice at the Logan School of Music, directed the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church and was the soloist at First Central Congregational Church. In addition, over the years she was involved in several choirs including Opera Omaha, the Nebraska Chorals Arts and the Omaha Symphonic Chorus.

When Erna moved into the Village 11- years-ago, she was approached to take on the responsibilities of both the choir and chime director, and she agreed. Its amazing to me the concentration and coordination that comes along with playing chimes and hand bells. Its therapeutic for both our members and those we play with. It helped Bernetta Schroeder recover from her stroke, I love music and after my stroke, I was unable to play the piano, playing chimes fits the bill. Thanks to practice, Bernetta is now able to play three different chimes during a song.

The Village Chime Choir is made up of ten members who are Village and Courtyard residents, AgeWell members and even Ernas friends. Each week for one hour, the group gets together to practice and are really good about coming. I think everyone really has a good time and enjoys the fellowship the choir brings.

The unique sounds the chimes create have even inspired Ernas own family. There are four generations of ringers in my family that include me, my daughter-in-law, my granddaughter and even great granddaughter whos only eleven years old.

The Chime Choir is in high demand and plays for various groups and organizations, including the All Campus Worship at Immanuel Village. Erna says it keeps the group busy, especially during the holidays. Were booked through February so thats good.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Immanuel Senior Living
• Immanuel Villge
• Senior Living Community
• Chime Choir
• Hand Bells
• Choir
• Chimes
• Residents
• Active Seniors
• seniors
• retirement
• choir director
• stroke
• teacher
• Lutheran
• church
• congregation
• song

[sookylooky]

My class is learning how to play chimes! Y'all were amazing!